Governor DeWine Announces $88 Million to Support Public Health, Workforce Development in Appalachia
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) recently announced more than $88 million in funding to help nearly a dozen Appalachian school districts improve public health and enhance workforce development in their areas.
OFCC is awarding the funds as part of the Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Program, which was created in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly. The goal of the program is to create full-service centers for public education, community health services, and career development in Appalachia Ohio.
Funding will cover expenses related to the construction of four new school-based community wellness, education, and career development centers in Mahoning, Jefferson, Noble, and Brown counties. Seven existing school-district sites will be renovated or expanded to provide services in Belmont, Carroll, Lawrence, Gallia, Perry, Trumbull, and Clermont counties.
Each center will provide programming and services that could include in-demand job training; Ohio Means Jobs support; classrooms and computer labs; walk-in health and mental health clinics; on-site dental services; and wellness, physical health, and training space. The new centers will be open to any Ohioan who needs assistance, including those living the school districts receiving the awards.
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 OYLPN Youth Council Retreat
OhioMHAS Chief Advisor Tia Marcel Moretti (pictured middle) recently joined members of the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network (OYLPN) Youth Council for a leadership retreat in Morrow County. She was presented with a signed banner symbolizing OYLPN's commitment to advocating for change and spreading awareness of substance misuse and mental health issues. Click HERE to learn more about OYLPN's mission and the important work of the Youth Council.
OhioMHAS 2024 Annual Data Brief, Updated County Assessment Data Profiles Available
The OhioMHAS Office of Quality, Planning, and Research is pleased to announce the release of the 2024 Annual Data Brief. This information, which includes data trends and indicators, can be used by legislators, officials, and stakeholders at the state and local levels, as well as the general public, to better understand the current state of behavioral health in Ohio. It may also assist policy-makers in tailoring prevention and intervention efforts across the state.
In addition, updated County Assessment Data Profiles are also available. The profiles include demographic data from the Census, behavioral health treatment services claims data, national-level survey data on mental health and substance use, and mortality data. The profiles provide a snapshot of behavioral health in each county.
Questions? Email Luke Werhan at Luke.Werhan@mha.ohio.gov.
HRSA STAR Loan Repayment Opportunity
Eligible substance use disorder (SUD) treatment clinicians and community health workers are invited to apply to the STAR (Substance Use Disorder Treatment & Recovery) Loan Repayment Program sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Eligible participants can receive up to $250,000 in educational loan repayment. Participants must commit to work full-time for six years in a facility/county approved for the STAR Loan Repayment Program. The deadline to apply is 7:30 p.m. on June 27. Questions? Contact HRSA at 1.800.221.9393 or TTY at 1.877.897.9910.
Southwest Ohio Problem Gambling Coalition CEU Day — June 28
The Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Coalition of Southwest Ohio is hosting a virtual Problem Gambling CEU Day on June 28 from 9:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Featured presentations include: Problem Gambling and Suicide Lethality, Financial Awareness and Gambling, and Integrating Problem Gambling Prevention with Substance Misuse Prevention. This training offers a total of 4.5 CEUs. For more information, contact Gregory Stewart at 513.520.5203 or email stewargy@ucmail.uc.edu.
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2024 Peer Recovery Summit — July 29-30
There are only three weeks left to register for the 2024 Peer Recovery Summit hosted by Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO). The summit will take place on July 29-30 at the Hilton Columbus Polaris at 8700 Lyra Dr., Columbus, OH 43240. Join peer recovery supporters and other recovery advocates from across Ohio and the country for two days of education, transformation, and celebration. Cost is $75. Registration is limited to 550 attendees. Attendees will receive participation credits that can be used towards recertification.
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August Suicide Prevention Trainings
Ohio Prevention Conference — Aug. 19-20
OhioMHAS and Prevention Action Alliance are partnering to host the 2024 Ohio Prevention Conference on Aug. 19-20 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. The conference is the premier educational opportunity for prevention specialists, health educators, business professionals, and community members dedicated to fostering a healthier environment. Attendees will engage with cutting-edge prevention science, hone skills in implementing evidence-based strategies, and forge connections with diverse sectors from across Ohio through meaningful networking.
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35th Annual Statewide UMADAOP Conference — Sept. 11-12
The Mansfield Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP) will host the 35th Annual Statewide UMADAOP Conference on Sept. 11-12 at Kingwood Gardens in Mansfield. In keeping with this year's theme, the conference will focus on providing tools and solutions to help connect, engage, and empower communities.
Conference organizers are currently accepting applications for workshop presentations. Questions? Email JIll Frost at jillkfrost@gmail.com or call 614.585.9473.
In the News...
Surgeon General calls for warning labels on social media platforms The New York Times, June 17, 2024
Mental health board receives grant Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune, June 17, 2024
Fathers leading the way, building stronger families through fatherhood initiatives Dayton Daily News, June 16, 2024
Grant funds upgrades to TRS sensory garden Lisbon Morning Journal, June 13, 2024
Beyond Healthcare summer program teaching Toledo youth how to care for mental health WTOL-TV, June 13, 2024
Bridgeport schools aim to become 'a bridge to hope' Wheeling Intelligencer, June 13, 2024
Mental health training now required for Ohio high school coaches SpectrumNews1, June 13, 2024
New mental health group in Cincinnati aimed at bringing resources to Black men WLWT-TV, June 12, 2024
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